TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to make a free throw.
IMPORTANCE
A free throw is important because it is how a point is scored after a teammate is fouled upon. It is also the only skill that an offensive teammate has complete control over.
VOCABULARY
Free throw: unchallenged attempt at a basket (worth one point) awarded to a player following a foul or other rule break.
Free throw line: the line free throws are shot from.
When making a free throw, it is important to:
1. Bend your knees with your shooting foot slightly forward.
2. Place your shooting hand on top of the ball and your non-shooting hand on the side.
3. Make an "L" with your shooting arm.
4. Straighten your legs and push the ball with your shooting hand.
5. Follow through with your wrist so your fingers are pointed down.
PRACTICE
- Form a single file line behind the free throw line with your ball. When I say, "GO!" the first person in line will take a shot. If you miss or make the shot, retrieve your ball and head to the back of the line. We will continue until everyone makes three shots.
- Repeat as many times as needed.
DUNK DODGEBALL
TIME
20-30 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
1 basketball ball per team
5 short cones
24 fuzzy balls
2 hula-hoops
Optional: 6+ basketballs
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Dunk Dodgeball. Your goal is to keep your teammates in the game by shooting free throws.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into two teams.
- When I say, “GO!” throw fuzzy balls at the opposing team.
- If you are hit (shoulders and below), you must go down within three seconds.
- The only way to get back up is if someone from your team makes a basket from inside the hula-hoop at your team’s free throw line with a basketball.
- When the team member is inside the hula-hoop they are safe for 10 seconds.
- We will begin a new game when there is one team left.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Take away the hula-hoop safety zone for each team.
Game 3: Students have to make a basket on the other team’s hoop for teammates that are down to be freed.
Variation: Increase the number of basketballs each team is allowed to have.
Exit Ticket: Students shoot a free throw before putting the ball away.
TEACHING TIPS
- ELL Accommodations
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Model skills in a small group.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Reflection
- What will you do to get better at shooting free throws?
- How did you encourage a classmate when shooting a free throw was hard?
KNOCKOUT
TIME
20-30 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
2-20 students per game
EQUIPMENT
2 basketballs per group
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Knockout. In this game, the objective is to make a free throw before the person behind you does.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Before the game begins, form a single file line behind the free throw line.
- The first two students will receive the basketballs.
- When I say, "GO!" the first person in line will begin to shoot.
- Once the person in front of you has shot, you may begin to shoot.
- Your first shot must always be from the free throw line.
- If you do not make your first shot, keep shooting from anywhere inside the boundary lines.
- If you make a basket before the person behind you does, you are safe. You must give your ball to the next person in line and go to the end of the line.
- If the person behind you makes a basket before you do, you are eliminated.
- You cannot bump or knock another student’s ball out of the way.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: You can bump or knock another student’s ball out of the way.
Game 3: Full Court Version – Have students start on the end line and dribble all the way down the court to the opposite free throw line. Once the student has shot from the free throw line, the next student can go.
Exit Ticket: Students shoot a free throw before putting the ball away.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach
- Depending on class size, use more than one hoop and divide students into multiple groups.
- ELL Accommodations
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Model skills in a small group.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Reflection
- What will you do to get better at shooting free throws?
- How did you encourage a classmate when shooting a free throw was hard?
RINGER
TIME
20-30 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
2-15 students per game
EQUIPMENT
1 basketball ball per student
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Ringer. Your goal is to get all of your teammates onto the court by shooting a free throw.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into two teams.
- You must select two people from your team to start off as the ringers.
- The rest of your team will stand behind the end line.
- When I say, "GO!" the ringers must shoot from the free throw line.
- If a ringer makes a shot, one student from his/her team can join and begin shooting.
- We will begin a new game once one team has all their members on the court.
- New ringers will be chosen each game.
Game 1: Play as indicated above. Teacher gives a number to each student. This will determine the order students can come onto the court.
Game 2: Use a boy/girl order to determine the order students can come onto the court. Have the students that are waiting at the end line perform a task (i.e. hold a plank, wall sit, jumping jacks, etc.).
Game 3: Use height (shortest to tallest) to determine the order students can come onto the court.
Exit Ticket: Students shoot a free throw before putting the ball away.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach
- Depending on class size, increase the number of ringers needed to start off each game.
- If not all students are participating when shooting, enforce a “shooting order” students must shoot in.
- ELL Accommodations
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Model skills in a small group.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Reflection
- What will you do to get better at shooting free throws?
- How did you encourage a classmate when shooting a free throw was hard?